CVE-2020-0601
Microsoft Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) contains a spoofing vulnerability in the way it validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) certificates. An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by using a spoofed code-signing certificate to sign a malicious executable, making it appear the file was from a trusted, legitimate source. A successful exploit could also allow the attacker to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks and decrypt confidential information on user connections to the affected software. The vulnerability is also known under the moniker of CurveBall.
A spoofing vulnerability exists in the way Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) certificates.An attacker could exploit the vulnerability by using a spoofed code-signing certificate to sign a malicious executable, making it appear the file was from a trusted, legitimate source, aka 'Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability'.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N- packetstormsecurity.com/files/155960/CurveBall-Microsoft-Windows-CryptoAPI-Spoofing-Proof-Of-Concept.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/155961/CurveBall-Microsoft-Windows-CryptoAPI-Spoofing-Proof-Of-Concept.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
- portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0601PatchVendor Advisory
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-0601US Government Resource
Actively exploited. Patch immediately.
- Exploitation
- Confirmed in the wild (CISA KEV)
- Federal remediation deadline
- Overdue by 1638 days
- CVSS
- 8.1 HIGH
- EPSS (30-day exploit probability)
- 89.1% · top 1% of all CVEs
- Weakness
- CWE-295
- Attack vector
- Network, remotely reachable
- 1.Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- 2.Treat as emergency change: patch or isolate internet-facing instances first.
- 3.Review exposure: confirm which instances are reachable from the internet and restrict access until patched.
- 4.Hunt for compromise: review logs for the disclosure window, not just from the patch date.
Assessment is derived automatically from the live signals above; verify against your own asset inventory.